Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond accused of sexual offences, including two rapes attempts
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Alex Salmond, the former Scottish leader, was charged Thursday with a litany of sexual offences — including two attempted rapes.
The charge sheet against the longtime Scottish National Party chief includes the attempted rapes, nine sexual assaults, two indecent assaults and a breach of the peace.
Salmond made no plea or declaration at the court hearing. He was released on bail. No date has been set for a court hearing.
After the hearing Salmond, 64, spoke to the media outside court: “Let me say from the outset, I’m innocent from any criminality whatsoever. I refute absolutely these allegations of criminality and I will defend myself to the utmost in court,” the Guardian reported.
“I’ve got great faith in the court system in Scotland.”
He added: “You know me well enough to know that I’d love to say a great deal more but I have got to observe the rules of the court and in court is where I will state my case.”
Nicola Sturgeon, who replace Salmond as first minister of Scotland and as SNP leader, said it would be “completely inappropriate” for her to comment. “I know this will be a shock to many people but as Police Scotland have said today, these are now live criminal proceedings,” she told the broadcaster STV.
Earlier: Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has been arrested by police, according to national media reports.
“We can confirm a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged, and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal,” local STV cited a Police Scotland spokesperson as saying.
Police did not name the suspect or specify what he has been charged with. STV said the man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later Thursday.
Salmond was Scottish first minister from 2007 to 2014.
He resigned from the Scottish National Party (SNP), which he led until 2014, last year after sexual misconduct claims were made against him.
Salmond has consistently denied the claims. It is not certain whether they are linked to Thursday’s arrest.
Earlier this month, Salmond won a legal action against the Scottish government over its handling of an investigation into the complaints of sexual harassment made against him.
